Greg Jennings #85 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball while defended by Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL season opener at Lambeau Field on September 9, 2012 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers’ passing game could see some its struggles resolved this week because of two reasons: the return of Greg Jennings and the long work week.

Green Bay’s starting receiver returned to practice on a limited basis Tuesday, Sept. 18, after missing the Chicago Bears game Thursday with a groin injury. He had five receptions for 34 yards in the season-opening loss to San Francisco and usually draws the top cornerback on defense, so his presence alone may create opportunities elsewhere on offense.

But more important, because the Packers don’t play until Monday night they will have plenty of time to work in practice. Coach Mike McCarthy said the Packers spent Tuesday morning reviewing the San Francisco and Chicago games and concluded not to be overly concerned.

“I’m not real big on making huge decisions after a two-game evaluation,” said McCarthy. “Four or five games is when you really identify yourself as a football team, particularly as a unit.

“We’re not far off on offense. I hate when people say, ‘If we make this play or that play, you wouldn’t have to ask me the question.’ But we’ll play better on offense. I’m confident with that.”

The one area that wasn’t an issue in the victory over the Bears was the running game. That’ll get a boost as well with the return of James Starks (turf toe) to practice Tuesday, although it is unclear if he’ll be available for the Seattle game.

“It’ll be good to get him back out there, but turf toe is an injury, I don’t think you just jump up out of bed one day and you’re OK,” said McCarthy. “There will be some transition time for him to come back. As far as his role, that’s really determined during the week. Our running back position is probably as competitive as it has ever been since I’ve been here. I feel really good about that group, top to bottom.”

The Packers will have plenty of time to see that their renewed, healthy team make corrections this week. After working Tuesday and taking Wednesday off, they will have practice Thursday through Saturday before heading to Seattle to play the Seahawks on Monday night.

Loud venue

Of course in CenturyLink Field, the Packers will play in one of the loudest venues in the league outside of their own division. The Packers have in the past prepared for loud venues by pumping sound, noise and cheering into their practices before snaps on offense.

“It’s just how we’re going to communicate,” said receiver Jordy Nelson. “We use a lot of hand signals, non-verbal stuff. Should help with some of the noise.”

Wilson no castaway

The Packers defense also will find a challenge in Flutie-like Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. At 5 feet 10 inches he is undersized by NFL standards, but he already has earned the Packers’ respect for his ability.

“He’s short but he’s fast, very fast, and it is hard to defend a running quarterback,” said defensive end C.J. Wilson, who also returned to practice Tuesday after suffering a groin injury. “When you run, you open up more lanes, more opportunities. But it is easier if he’s shorter because you can bat a lot of balls down.”

He said the approach to defending Wilson in pursuit was to keep running after him, and not to slow up and try to react to his cuts or escape moves.

“You never want to slow yourself up because everybody can take a shot at him, you know?” Wilson said. “Eventually you’ll get him down, but you never want to slow up on a guy. Of course he’s going to make you miss — that’s his job to make you miss. But you take your shot and hopefully the second or third guy will get him.”

One player who fully understands the dangers Wilson can pose is rookie defensive end Jerel Worthy. At Michigan State, Worthy played Wilson twice.

Worthy says the key to slowing Wilson is keeping him contained in the pocket. The Packers’ front has to stay in its rushing lanes and maintain a consistent push inside, he said.

“Russell’s going to make the plays,” Worthy said. “He’s a very good quarterback. He’s very efficient, very smart. So if he can’t see back there, he’s going to find a way to where he can get downfield to see the wide receivers. He’s going to make the plays. He’s a damn good player.”

Constant Clay

Outside linebacker Clay Matthews already has as many sacks (six) through two games as he did all of last season. Now, the trick is keeping it up.

Green Bay is hoping to stay one step ahead of the opposition.

“It’s about opportunities,” McCarthy said. “That’s what the coaching staff sits around and game plans for and spends extra time. It’s always trying to create as many opportunities for your players as possible, particularly your playmakers. So it’s part of every game-plan decision, discussion that eventually comes down to matchups.

“They’re going to react to Clay and how are we going to react to their reaction and be proactive with our schemes to try to combat, whether they’re chipping or double-teaming or sliding, whatever their reaction’s going to be.”

Empathy (for now)

With many of the missed calls by the replacement officials getting a lot of attention by the fans and media after Week 2, it is clear that mistakes are happening at an alarming rate. But it seems as if the Packers are unwilling to blame the officials. Instead, they see the refs put in an unfair situation.

“I mean, there have been a lot of calls. But it’s hard for me to comment on it — those guys are put in a tough situation coming up,” said nose tackle Ryan Pickett. “The speed of our game is so much faster than where they’re coming up from college. Maybe it will take them a little time to catch up. Other than that they’re trying to make the right calls, trying to do the right things. So I can’t complain about it.”

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